"You must make your enemies your allies. And if you can't do that, then destroy them.
Them, and all who follow them, so that fear doesn't come for you when you sleep."
A diverse fantasy reimagining of Les Misérables and The Jungle Book. Fantastic!
A great Young Adult fantasy novel with a wholly original plot and great world building.
This book is set in 1828 Paris after a failed revolution; in times that are dark and sinister with a royal regime lacking any real interest or compassion for those less fortunate themselves. These royals are merciless and pretty much live for themselves and fellow nobility, leaving the remaining residents of Paris to live in famine, poverty and despair. As a result nine underworld criminal guilds known as the Court of Miracles have formed. Our protagonist Nina, is a very talented cat burglar and is a member of the Thieves Guild. When her adopted sister Ettie attracts the unwanted and terrifying attention of the Tiger (the lord of the Guild of Flesh), Nina is forced to embark on a dangerous path to protect Ettie and do all she can to keep her safe and out of the ruthless clutches of the the Lord of the Guild of Flesh. Breaking into the palace of Louis XVII, stealing from royals, seeking allies with ghosts and facing her fears, Nina's will to protect her younger adopted sister forces her into the worst parts of the dark underbelly of Paris. But saving Ettie from the Tiger risks setting off a vicious war between the guilds.
Admittedly, it started a little slow with a lot of information and world building thrown at you. I did become slightly worried that the plot wouldn't have much suspense or keep my interest. However it was totally worth the slow plot as that all changed a few chapters in and I was enthralled into an underworld of secrecy, law, thieves, assassins and more!
This book is beautifully written with amazing descriptive language and little stories of revolution thrown in between chapters. I loved the historical aspects of this book and the way in which the author greatly captured a dark Paris in a unique and interesting way. The court systems and 'Guilds' where also really well explained and added SO much more depth; it made the story and the protagonists feelings and decisions easier to understand and empathise with. The characters where also a very well done element of this fantastic book; all unique and likeable which made you invested in them and the story so much more. The main character in this book was probably the best thing about it. Starting as a small, quiet girl relying on her sister and leading a sad average life, she later becomes a fierce and brave admirable woman who you can't help but cheer for through out the story. Her character development was very well done!
I greatly enjoyed this book and once I got through the slow start I couldn't put it down! I cannot wait for a sequel as the story of Nina and Ettie doesn't seem to be over just yet. Their friendship and sisterhood warmed my heart and proved that love trumps all. A four star read that I'd highly recommend if you love a good fantasy. If you’re not a fan of romance in your books, then this book is for you! There isn't any romance in this book but there is definitely enough to suggest there could be in a sequel. Instead, this book greatly focuses on sisterhood and friendship and i adored it.
Available: 04/06/2020.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Thank you for reading,
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Les Misérables meets Six of Crows in this page-turning adventure as a young thief finds herself going head to head with leaders of Paris's criminal underground in the wake of the French Revolution.
In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.
